As summer gets underway, I’ve had some
time to reflect on the year and how our
community truly embraced our theme of
“engage” this year. I am awed by the energy
and commitment of our entire school to
ensure our students have the best possible
experiences.

Signature Event gala, An Enchanted
Engagement, grew significantly this year.
We hosted our largest group of attendees
ever, with a hugely successful evening of
fundraising more than $340,000, including
more than $80,000 through our new “Raise
the G” initiative.

Our dedicated teachers engaged from
the very beginning of the year, with their
overall approach to teaching and learning,
leading to exciting developments in projects
and programs at each campus. This energy
transferred to our students, who achieved so
much this school year. From entrepreneurs
in the news, to state athletic titles, to a
Silver Knight winner and a Congressional
App Challenge winner, to six National
Merit finalists, to a lengthy list of academic
and community service award winners, our
students truly shine on the grandest stages.

I am inspired by all of the hard work,
endless energy, and dedication displayed
by the Gulliver community. This summer,
the Board and administration will continue
turning the major elements of the strategic
plan into action and improvements for our
programs. We look forward working with
you to realize our vision for the future of
our school.

The level of engagement of our parents
also extended far beyond attending
school events and activities. They gave
their time as volunteers, committee
leaders and ambassadors for our growing
advancement efforts, including admissions
and fundraising. The result of these efforts,
especially in building greater community
and school spirit, is immeasurable. Our

Frank Steel
Head of Schools

S U M M E R 20 1 7

With Gulliver Pride,

Thank You,

Leadership
2016 – 2017 BOARD
OF TRUSTEES

ADMINISTRATION AND
PRINCIPALS

ADVANCEMENT
DEPARTMENT

Chair
Jocelyn F. Woolworth P ‘19

Head of Schools
Frank Steel

Executive Director of External Affairs
Lori-Ann M. Cox

Vice Chair
Michalis Stavrinides P ‘21 ‘22 ‘24

Assistant Head of Schools for Grades
PreK3-8 and Primary School Principal
Valerie Bostick

Steven Salstein '01
This Young Alum is Reducing Our Carbon Footprint, One Pair of Sneakers at a Time
by Jana Bruns

H

ow many pairs of sneakers do you
own? And how many of those
do you actually wear? Perhaps
half, while the others collect dust
and take up room in your closet?
Now consider that over 200 million usable
sneakers are thrown away in America each year.
They end up in landfills, where they pollute
groundwater and soil and, most significantly,
produce greenhouse gasses, which are the
leading cause of global
warming.
Worldwide
demand for sneakers,
however, is booming and
shows no sign of slowing
down, especially in the
developing world, where
brands like Nike, Adidas
and Puma are coveted
by hundreds of millions
of people. So why not
extend the life cycle of
your sneakers and pass
on that pair of Puma
soccer cleats your son
outgrew last year to a
boy in Nicaragua, or give
your old Nike running
shoes to a woman in
Ghana or Ukraine?

community or religious organization while
doing something good for the planet and giving
back to the community,” says Salstein. “At then
end of a sneaker drive we arrange for pickup
at our cost, count the sneakers at our facility
and issue a check to sneaker recycling partner.
For individuals looking to donate we also have
convenient drop off locations, including one in
Pinecrest – the Pinecrest Community Center.”

The idea for GotSneakers
grew out of Salstein’s
passion for sports,
his
environmental
consciousness and his
work at the Bay Rag
Corporation, a secondgeneration
clothing
and footwear salvage
company run by his
family. “I grew up
playing
competitive
baseball and always
owned lots of sneakers.
At Bay Rag, where I
worked after college,
I saw firsthand how
much excess footwear
and clothing exists in
the United States. My
family’s company had
Enter Steven Salstein
contracts with some
‘01, co-founder of
of the country’s largest
the sneaker recycling
retailers. For example,
Co-founder of GotSneakers, Steven Salstein ‘01
company GotSneakers.
until
2011
they
GotSneakers collects used sneakers, packs and
received all of Walmart’s liquidation footwear,
ships them to micro-enterprises in developing
which they stored in two 100,000 square foot
countries around the globe, where they are
warehouses near the Miami airport. They sold
refurbished and resold. Donors are paid a small
these products to vendors outside the US,
fee, one dollar per pair. “Sneaker drives are a
who in turn resold them on the local retail
fun and easy way to raise money for a school,
market at a highly discounted, affordable price,

8

S U M M E R 20 1 7

prolonging their life cycle and helping reduce
waste.” Salstein saw an opportunity to apply
the principles of the salvage business to a more
specialized venture aligned with his interests
and, in 2015, launched GotSneakers with two
childhood friends. “We piggyback on Bay Rag’s
facilities, labor and contacts, so our expenses are
minimal,” he says. “We pride ourselves on being
very efficient. We have excellent courier partners
and only two part-time warehouse employees.”
Vendors handle the export shipping costs and
they do not advertise. “We have no need for
advertising—our clients find us,” says Salstein.

female clients—small vendors who are tough
negotiators and passionate about their business.
“They are completely dedicated to their work and
don’t mind getting their hands dirty,” he says,
adding that “dealing with small entrepreneurs
all over the world is definitely one of the most
interesting aspects of our business.” In Central
and South America, Salstein’s proficiency in
Spanish and familiarity with Latino culture are
a big advantage. “My customers appreciate that
I, a gringo, speak Spanish—which I learned
at Gulliver,” he says. “Many of my school and
baseball friends were Latino and I assimilated

"Never judge a book
by its cover. People
may look scruffy and
not like you, but they
know their business
and you have to pay
them their respect."
His work as CEO of GotSneakers
has taken Salstein around the
globe—to Eastern Europe, the
Middle East, Africa and Central
and Latin America—and afforded
him an insider’s view of local
economies. “I just returned from
a weeklong trip to Ukraine hosted
by a long-time customer,” he says.
“Like most of our vendors, this
particular customer is totally selfmade. He got his start selling
Salstein pictured here in his warehouse in Miami, FL
T-shirts. He worked his way up and
now owns 50 stores. And he treats me like I am
into their community. That definitely comes
a part of the family. His children are my age.”
in handy in my dealings with customers.” His
In Haiti and parts of Africa, Salstein has mostly
most important lesson working with customers
around the world: “Never judge a book
by its cover. People may look scruffy
and not like you, but they know their
business and you have to pay them their
respect.”

9

profile

Alessandra Maggioni '17
On Why Failure is the Best Thing That Has Ever Happened to Her

Alessandra at 10 years old

by Maegan Azpiazu

F

ailure is the best thing that has ever
happened to me.

This statement is not something
you would typically expect to come
out of the mouth of a teenage
girl. Unless you’ve had a conversation with
Alessandra Maggioni ‘17 and heard her story.
Alessandra started playing tennis when she
was four years old. Her lifelong dream was to
become a professional tennis player and she was
just a normal kid working to pursue her dream
until, at the age of 10, she was diagnosed with a
severe case of scoliosis. The condition forced her
to wear a brace for 20 hours a day; the remaining
four hours were spent on the tennis court.
Two and a half years later, she received the
good news that her back had stabilized. She
was able to take off the brace and she picked
up where she left off, playing tennis vigorously
and training hard to make up for lost time. But
in 2013, the doctor told her that she needed
to undergo surgery immediately – an intensive
surgery called posterior spinal fusion, during
which her back was reconstructed with two
metal rods and 26 screws.
After six months of recovery, Alessandra was
cleared to play tennis again, but her return to
the court was not at all what she expected nor
what she had hoped it would be.
“That day, I learned what failure really is; what
incapacity feels like and what sadness and
depression really do,” said Alessandra. “That
was the day I learned that I would never be able
to play tennis again. Although at that moment
I felt like I was dying inside, I had to move
forward. I had to stop looking at everything
that I had suffered and start focusing on the
positives of the situation.”

10

S U M M E R 20 1 7

Prior to that day, the only thing
giving Alessandra the strength to
move forward was the thought
of her upcoming summer, as she
had big plans to attend IMG
Academy to play tennis and work
to gain back everything she had
lost in the past year. But instead,
she did something completely
different. She asked her surgeon
for an internship, and from there
her dream of playing tennis was
replaced by another passion –
giving back.
Through volunteering at the hospital,
Alessandra was able to watch the
surgery previously performed on her
own spine and she accompanied her
surgeon on his rounds. She became
an ambassador for Nicklaus Children’s
Hospital, spending countless hours
visiting and mentoring children, and
parents, who are dealing with her same
condition or have learned they must
undergo fusion surgery.

An x-ray from Alessandra's scoliosis
diagnosis

“The greatest and most
beautiful gift that I have
gained from my experience
is the art of learning to help
others, and then doing so.”
In 2015, with support from her engineering
teacher at Gulliver, Alessandra created a patentpending device for patients in pain after fusion
surgery. The 17-year-old speaks regularly at
hospital fundraisers, conferences and seminars,
and delivered a TEDx Talk titled Bent, Not
Broken. Last year, at the hospital’s annual

Wine, Women and
Shoes fashion event,
she helped raise more
Alessandra enjoys a fun photo opp with her parents following a surprise
than $1 million. At ceremony at the Prep
other events, such as
the Flying with the Stars charity dinner, she assisted in
raising $40,000.
Alessandra has expanded her passion for giving back by
partnering with an Italian organization called “James Non
Morira” to open an orphanage in the Dominican Republic.
Additionally, she served as an ambassador for Gulliver,
talking to prospective parents on visits to the Preparatory
Campus, and was involved in the school’s Operation Smile
Club and Smiling Tummies; a club that makes sandwiches
for people in need.
A member of the National Honor Society, Alessandra is
the 2017 Silver Knight Award winner for Speech. She was
also awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for
her exemplary work in the community, and commitment
to leadership through service.
“Doing my volunteer work has never been something that
I do for recognition,” Alessandra said. “It’s always about
helping others. But, to see that it does get recognized, and
to see the difference I’m making in people’s lives, it really
inspires me to keep moving forward, even through the
hard times.”
While her movement is limited in terms of playing sports,
Alessandra leads a healthy lifestyle and is physically active.
Her aspirations of becoming a professional tennis player
may never come to fruition, but she is determined to
continue to turn her perceived failure into purpose – a
new focus on life, and a passion for giving back.
“The greatest and most beautiful
gift that I have gained from my
experience is the art of learning
to help others, and then doing
so,” Alessandra said. “The blessing
and the joy you receive when you
help someone else is much more
rewarding than winning a tennis
tournament. My surgery has truly
been a blessing in disguise.”
Alessandra will attend the
University of Miami this fall where
she plans to major in public health
and pre-med.
Alessandra with her President's Volunteer
Service Award

11

c opnr ot fei lnet s

Donor Spotlight: The Rahman Family
Focused on Family and Philanthropy
by Stephanie Sanchez

A

min and Zahra Rahman have
an infectious enthusiasm for
Gulliver. Zahra Rahman ‘90
joined the Gulliver family
as a ninth grader in 1986
and remains fully immersed in the school
community as a current parent at both the
Academy and the Prep. As a legacy family, the
Rahmans are meaningfully engaged as active
parents and philanthropists, truly bringing their
Gulliver experience full circle.
Originally from Uganda,
East Africa, Zahra’s family
lived in Vancouver, British
Columbia and Texas before
relocating to Miami. One
of the key reasons Zahra’s
parents selected Gulliver,
after extensive research on
private schools, is one of
the same qualities she loves
about the school today: its
diversity.

glasses, champagne ﬂutes and beer mugs.
They have played an important role in driving
South Florida’s economic growth. The iconic
warehouse, visible off the bend of the Turnpike
in northern Miami-Dade County, was a visible
indicator of their businesses evolution from five
employees to more than 800. Amin’s leadership
and the way he led growth of the business earned
him the 2014 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur
of the Year award in distribution and
manufacturing. Selling the business has allowed
the Rahmans freedom
from the responsibilities of
managing a large company,
and they are enjoying
having more time to spend
with their sons and become
further engaged in the
school community.

Deeply
dedicated
to
family and community,
the Rahmans exemplify
and promote the values
that define a Gulliver
Amin Rahman is originally
student. "Amin and I both
from Bangladesh. A college
come from philanthropic
tennis
player,
turned
families and our hope is
professional, he won the
that Karim and Yannik will
Davis Cup Championship
continue our long family
in the 1980s. After studying
tradition of giving to our
The Rahmans with world-renowned tennis player, Roger Federer
in London, he came to the
communities and to those
United States on a scholarship to play tennis,
in need," said Zahra. Karim, a ninth grader at
and earned a degree in electrical engineering
Gulliver Preparatory, and Yannik, a sixth grader
from Florida International University, as well a
at the Academy, have been raised with guiding
master’s in business administration.
principles of respect, perseverance, integrity and
caring. Attending Gulliver since Kindergarten,
The Rahmans are the former owners of
they have been supported at school by an
DiscountMugs.com, one of the largest factory
organizational culture that promotes these same
suppliers of drinkware United States for more
values with an aim to ensure each child reaches
than 22 years, with products including travel
the power of their potential.
mugs, sports bottles, martini glasses, wine

12

S U M M E R 20 1 7

What has that meant for the Rahman boys
journey? Following in their father’s footsteps,
they are flourishing student athletes. Avid
tennis players, Karim and Yannik are balancing
busy schedules of early morning practices
and international travel tournaments, with
the study demands of Gulliver’s college
preparatory curriculum. Rejecting a traditional
homeschooling model for youth athletes at their
level, the Rahmans cherish the academic rigor
and community that Gulliver provides. Zahra
and Amin emphasized how the integration of
sports and academics provides opportunities
to teach discipline, time management, defeat,
respect, patience and strategy. These qualities
required on the court are needed off the court as
well and will be the defining characteristics that
will shape the Rahman children’s future. Both
boys hope to play tennis at college level and
both are expressing interest in entrepreneurial
pursuits. The Rahmans asserted, “We’re at
Gulliver because this is the school that will open
these opportunities.” Karim and Yannik’s stories
epitomize Gulliver’s growth mindset in action!
Proudly sharing that Karim and Yannik are
among the top tennis players in their respective
age groups, Zahra and Amin also underscored
their holistic approach to sports and life. “Some
kids have a lot of pressure,” Amin says. “We
tell them to enjoy the sport and not worry so
much about winning. As long as they are trying
their best and get better every day, that’s all we
are looking for.” When they’re not busy on the
courts, the boys enjoy playing chess, and are on
the chess teams at their respective campuses. The
boys also enjoy traveling with their family when
their busy schedule allows. Zahra and Amin,
who speak five languages combined, like to take
advantage of the experience of visiting different
countries to teach the boys about culture.
As the Rahmans share their family stories, they
emphasize how Gulliver has been an important
part of their journey. They appreciate the
leadership of Head of Schools, Frank Steel,
pointing out that there are more and more

Zahra, Yannik, Karim and Amin

opportunities to get engaged with the school –
from lectures, social events, sports competitions
and alumni engagements to social media and
networking. “The school is really stepping up to
reach out to us. We now feel like we really have
comradery and shared ownership – in a family
way,” Zahra expressed.

"We’re
at
Gulliver
because this is the school
that will open these
opportunities."
The Rahmans have translated their feelings of
gratitude to Gulliver into action. The family
have been generous donors to the school since
2011. “The synergy and multicultural family
atmosphere at Gulliver and how we feel so
united to this school is what keeps us giving,”
Zahra said.
“Zahra and Amin represent true lifetime
engagement in Gulliver - as alumni, parents
and thoughtful participants in supporting the
future of our school,” said Frank Steel. “They
ask the question ‘what do you need’ and then
make it happen! Their investment in Gulliver
has a tremendous impact on our students.”

13

contents

profile

Article Headline
This Is Where the Article Subtitle Goes
by Author Name

Hank

Langston
Educational Trailblazer, Community
Activist and the Essence of Gulliver

14

S U M M E R 20 1 7

15

profile

Hank Langston
Educational Trailblazer, Community Activist and the Essence of Gulliver
by Jana Bruns

H

ow does one capture the spirit
of a man who has dedicated his
whole life to helping others,
whose resume boasts more civic
and educational accolades than
those of many high-ranking political and
academic dignitaries, and who is so humble
and selfless that he is reluctant to talk about
himself? “Please don’t focus too much on that
stuff,” Henry O. Langston says at the end of
our interview. “I’ve had a lot of good laughs in
my life and I’d like to share some of those with
readers. That’s more important to me than being
celebrated. I’d like to let my work at Gulliver
and in the community speak for itself.”
Hank’s many fans, however, are eager to sing
his praises and to acknowledge how much he
has done for them personally and for Gulliver.
According to Ruben Valencia, Gulliver’s dean
of academics and Hank’s longtime colleague,
“Hank IS Gulliver. He is the school’s voice.
No one has done more to get Gulliver on the
map. In the Florida education community, he
is a celebrity – a leader who commands utmost
respect. He is our best ambassador and he has
been a great mentor to me and many others.”
John Krutulis, Gulliver’s director of schools
emeritus and former head of schools, who has
known Hank for almost fifty years, echoes
Valencia’s sentiment. “Hank built Gulliver’s
relationships with the community. He is a great
networker and conduit: everyone knows him
and he is great at bringing people together.
It’s hard to say no to him because he is such a
nice person – that’s how he manages to enlist
support from so many people. His focus has
always been on creating better opportunities for
our students and faculty. He was instrumental
in setting up our signature engineering and
biomed programs at the high school level

16

S U M M E R 20 1 7

and bringing the International Baccalaureate
program to Gulliver. He also oversaw Gulliver’s
first accreditation as a member of the Florida
council of independent schools. He is
responsible for many milestones in Gulliver’s
evolution into one of Florida’s top independent
schools.”
A generous, tireless worker who never calls in
sick and whose dedication to Gulliver has no
limits – that’s how his longtime secretary, Debi
Van Stone, describes Hank. “He never stops
working for the school,” she says, “even during
weekends or when he is on vacation.” She recalls
how Hank met the president of the university
of Rome (Enzo Siviero) during a recent summer
vacation. “They met by chance; Hank was in
his tourist outfit, wearing shorts and flip flops.
But that didn’t stop him from handing out his
Hank Langston with Lauren Garcia-Stille ‘21, James Jackson ‘18, Kimberly Lampidis ‘28
and Ashton Ray Brown ‘31

Scan this QR code to view
our video tribute to Hank!
business card and inviting the Italian educator to
Gulliver.” Eight months later, president Siviero
travelled to Miami to speak at Gulliver’s annual
chamber of commerce breakfast. In addition,
Hank enlisted his support for his most recent
venture, the ambitious GATE (Global Academic
Teaching Experience) program, which will bring
teachers-in-training and university students
from all over the country to Gulliver for handson experiences in the classroom and beyond.

and you’d be in jail!’” Lawful
or not, Hank and Mrs. K
believed that fun was part of
education. They made sure
that Gulliver was a place of
learning, exploration and
fun. That mission permeated
classrooms, athletic fields, performance stages,
cafeterias and conference rooms and made
Gulliver a very special place.

"He has been a teacher and
an administrator. He has
even driven buses. Hank
has always been there
when we needed him."

Hank’s former students, especially those that
needed extra attention, are among his biggest
fans. For Terry Dunn, one of South Florida’s
leading home inspectors, Hank’s mentorship was
a life-changing blessing. “I was completely lost
when I had him as a seventh grade math teacher.

Hank’s association with Gulliver began in 1968,
when Marion Krutulis wooed him away from
Riviera Day School, where he was in charge
of the football program, to run Gulliver’s
burgeoning summer camp. Since then, “Hank
has held almost every position imaginable at
Gulliver,” says John Krutulis. “He has been
a teacher and an administrator. He has even
driven busses. Hank has always been there
when we needed him.” Some of Hank’s fondest
memories date from his time as summer camp
director, a position he held until 1977. “We
instructed campers in archery and the use of BB
guns on the athletic fields behind the Academy,”
he remembers. “We also took them fishing in
Cutler Bay. The kids returned with scratches,
mosquito bites and dirty, wet clothes at the end
of the day, but they loved the experience. And
the parents didn’t mind the mess.” Hank also
liked playing pranks on students. “In the early
1980s, when I was middle school principal, I
once hid inside a tent that a teacher had set
up inside her classroom and spied on some
rambunctious students. I came out at the end of
class and students were flabbergasted!” Decades
later, Hank and Mrs. K would sometimes
reminisce about the good old days. “She would
say to me: ‘Hank, if anyone ever found out
what we did back then, I’d be out of business

Hank reading to Ashton Ray Brown ‘31 and Kimberly Lampidis ‘28

He made me a part of the Gulliver family and
helped me gain a strong academic foundation.
He also prepared me for life after school. He
always asked us: what will you do with your
knowledge? I owe my professional success to
him. Without Hank I would not be where I am
today.” Success stories like Terry’s – and there
are too many to recount – are living reminders
of Hank’s unique and enduring contributions
to the Gulliver community. Moreover, they
are signposts for future generations of students
who, directly or indirectly, are benefitting from
the “Hank Langston touch” and the Gulliver he
created for them!

17

c o n etw
e sn t s

Prep Trio Develops Drug-Detecting Smart Straws
by Maegan Azpiazu

Article Headline
This Is Where the Article Subtitle Goes
by Author Name

Carolina Baigorri ‘18, Susana Cappello ‘18 and
Victoria Roca ‘17 demonstrate the use of their
product idea, the Smart Straw

Back in February, Victoria Roca ‘17, Susana Cappello ‘18 and Carolina
Baigorri ‘18 competed against their classmates to be one of six teams
chosen to present their original business plans at Gulliver Prep’s Business
Plan Showcase. Nerves got the best of them, and they didn’t make the cut.
A month or so down the road, the trio got a shot at redemption and
succeeded, winning first place in the Miami Herald’s Business Plan
Challenge High School Track competition. Their winning concept? A
discreet, reusable straw that can detect some of the most common date
rape drugs.

Introducing, Smart Straws.
An idea that started as a school project and has since been fueled by passion,
Smart Straws can be placed in nonalcoholic or alcoholic drinks to test for
common date rape drugs like Ketamine and GHB. If the straw turns blue, the
drink has been tampered with and should not be ingested. If the device does
not change color, the drink is safe to consume.

A Smart Straw prototype, created by a
trio of Prep students.

Carolina, Susana and Victoria are awaiting a patent, and in the meantime, are working with a designer
to finalize a Smart Straw model. The working product will be established once their project venture with
a Kickstarter agency in North Carolina begins.
Smart Straws was first featured in the Miami Herald and largely due to the product’s potential to make
a global impact, has since garnered intense media attention from all over the United States to Europe
and South America, including USA Today, Forbes, The Washington Post, Glamour, Inside Edition, Elite
Daily, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, NBC6, and many more. Smart Straws has also been widely

shared and discussed on social media, as a video that appears on the NowThis Her Facebook
page has totaled more than 12 million views.

To learn more about Smart Straws and to keep up with Carolina, Susana and
Victoria, visit smartstraw.co and follow @SmartStraws on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For the second-straight year, a Gulliver student took
home a Silver Knight Award as Alessandra Maggioni
‘17 was named winner of the Speech category in a
ceremony held at the James L. Knight Center on
May 17, 2017.

The Miami Herald Silver Knight Awards program
recognizes outstanding students who have not only
excelled academically, but who have also generously
applied their knowledge and talents to contribute
significant service to their schools and communities.
"Having one of our students win a Silver Knight Award
is such an honor,"
said Gulliver Head of
Schools, Frank Steel.
"The Silver Knight
is one of the nation's
most important and
prestigious student
awards
programs,
Maggioni ‘17 receives the Silver Knight
and we are thankful Alessandra
Award for Speech at a ceremony held at the James L.
Knight Center
to have student
nominees every year. We are so proud of Alessandra
and how she embodies our school's dedication to
academic excellence and community involvement. She
is a truly deserving recipient of this award."
Including Alessandra, Gulliver nominated 10
exemplary seniors for the 2016-17 Silver Knight
Awards program:
Art

Catie Schwartzman

Business

Niles Miller

Maxim Salikhov

English & Literature

Alejandro Muñoz

General Scholarship

Emily Fakhoury

Mathematics
Music & Dance

Alaz Sengul
Paola Rodriguez

Science

David Herrera

Speech

Alessandra Maggioni (winner)

World Languages

by Maegan Azpiazu

In November 2016, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
announced Gulliver Prep’s Vicki Rios ‘17 as the winner of
the 2016 Congressional App Challenge for her Congressional
district. Rios was one of 2,150 student participants in this
year’s Challenge which yielded 650 apps created across 123
Congressional districts.
The
Congressional
App
Challenge promotes education
in the Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math (STEM)
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen presents Vicki Rios with
field. This year marks the
her Congressional App Challenge Award
second official Challenge, as 120
members of Congress from 33 states received app proposals and
designs from thousands of computer
science students nationwide.

Gulliver's 2016-17 Silver Knight nominees

Digital & Interactive Media

Gulliver Prep’s Vicki Rios Wins
Congressional App Challenge

Tina Barrios

Rios’ winning app, Simple Sign,
provides a free platform for learning
sign language, something that hits close
to home for the senior.
“The app was inspired by my younger
sister who is deaf,” Rios said. “I just
thought it would be cool for my family
to use because I have family members
that are always like, ‘Oh, I wish I could
learn this; oh, wow that’s so cool’.”

Vicki Rios ‘17 created an app called
Simple Sign, which assists people in
learning sign language

While sign language apps are already available in app stores,
Rios noticed that the existing apps carry a fee – something she
considers a road block for those wanting to communicate with
loved ones or just simply learn how to sign.
“Right now on the app store sign language apps either cost more
than you’re willing to pay, or you have to pay inside the app to
unlock more sections,” she said. “What I tried to do was get all
the information I could and put all my effort into it, and make
it free for everyone to access. That was my goal; free access.”
In April 2017, Rios joined winners from across the country in
showcasing her app to Members of Congress and members of
the tech community at #HouseOfCode, a Washington D.C.based reception.
Rios’ work will be featured in a permanent display in the U.S.
Capitol Building and on the House.gov website for one year.
Winning students are also awarded a portion of $50,000 in
credits donated by Amazon Web Services.
Scan this QR code to view ABC 10 coverage of
Vicki Rios' winning app.
19

c o nn et w
e sn t s

Headline
GulliverArticle
Athletics Caps
Off Stellar
Year with
Accolades
MiamiGoes
ThisMultiple
Is Where
the ArticleatSubtitle
Herald Athletic Awards Banquet
by Author Name
by Daniel Boston '00 and Maegan Azpiazu

Gulliver Athletics representatives accept
the award for 6A-1A Best Overall Sports
Program in Dade County

Following a successful 2016-17
season, which included a pair of
state championships and various
individual accolades, the Gulliver
Athletics program was recognized
with multiple honors at the annual
Miami Herald Athletic Awards
Banquet, held at Jungle Island on
May 23, 2017.

32 Student-Athletes Commit
to Playing Collegiate Sports
by Maegan Azpiazu

Gulliver continued its strong tradition of
producing student-athletes who participate in
National Signing Day this year, as 32 studentathletes committed to continuing their athletic
and academic careers at the collegiate level.
Throughout the academic year, these Gulliver

Robert Burns ‘17 is attending
the University of Miami where
he plans to major in business
and play football

student-athletes not only
excelled on the field but in
the classroom and in the
community, achieving a
cumulative GPA of 3.83 and
recording 5,434 hours of
community service.
32 Gulliver student-athletes have committed to playing sports
at the collegiate level

Chris George, Coach of the Year, Boys’
and Girls’ Swimming

Coach of the Year, Boys’ and Girls’ Swimming
Scholar-Athlete Finalist
Male Athlete of the Year Finalist
Male Swimming Athlete of the Year
Female Swimming Co-Athlete of the Year
Female Athlete of the Year Finalist
Female Cross Country Co-Athlete of the Year
Female Tennis Athlete of the Year
Male Tennis Athlete of the Year
Softball Co-Pitcher of the Year

In total, Gulliver Athletics boasted
44 First Team All-County selections
in 2016-17. The girls’ swimming
team won its third-straight 2A
state championship, while the
boys’ swimming team captured the
2A state title for the first time in
Miguel Cancel ‘18, Male Swimming
program history. Boys’ tennis and
Athlete of the Year, and Emily Cordovi
‘19, Female Swimming Co-Athlete of
girls’
water polo finished their seasons
the Year
as state runners-up, and several
student-athletes enjoyed additional high-level success:

Football

University of Virginia

Brianna Austin

Soccer

Villanova University

Lilly Barlow

Softball

Young Harris College

Santiago Burgos

Soccer

University of South Florida

Robert Burns

Football

University of Miami

Samantha Earle

Soccer

University of Florida

Brooke Ellis

Swimming

Vanderbilt University

Nina Fernandez

Soccer

Catholic University

Raymond Gil

Baseball

University of Miami

Pedro Goldberg

Soccer

New York University

Ysabel Gonzalez-Rico

Tennis

Emory University

Harrison Herskowitz

Football

Dartmouth College

Taylor Heyser

Softball

Agnes Scott College

Kayla Jensen

Softball

University of Buffalo

Pedro Jimenez

Football

Ave Marie University

Jack Johansson

Sailing

College of Charleston

Caio Jordao

Water Polo

Bucknell University

Shannon Kunkel

Basketball

Hawaii Pacific University

Sarah Lobo

Volleyball

University of New Mexico

Mayte Lezcano

Softball

Nova Southeastern University

Andre Libnic

Tennis

Babson College

Pablo Luchau

Swimming

University of Chicago

Mason Lykes

Crew

MIT

Jordan Lyon

Football

Ave Maria University

Chris Nido

Golf University of Florida

Ysabel Gonzalez-Rico ‘17
Ysabel Gonzalez-Rico ‘17
and Lindy Lyons ‘17

State Champions, Doubles Tennis

Lucas Rego

Lacrosse

College of Wooster

Kayla Jensen ‘17
Natalie Varela ‘20

Girls’ Weightlifting State Finalist
Girls’ Cross Country State Finalist

DeWayne Terry

Football

Dartmouth College

Mikaela Thomas

Basketball

FAMU

Francisco Tonarely

Lacrosse

Bard College

Robert Touron

Baseball

University of Miami

Jalen Watson

Swimming

Howard University

Monica Zabian

Soccer

Florida Institute of Technology

20

State Champion, Singles Tennis

Armando Alonso

S U M M E R 20 1 7

Green Means Green Winners
by Stephanie Sanchez
Eighth graders Stan Olijslager ‘21, and Juan Lazcano ‘21,
were honored by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
during the city’s 2017 Green Means Green Award
ceremony. This award recognizes individuals, companies
and students in our community that have placed a
strong emphasis on sustainability and outstanding green
practices.
As part of their International Baccalaureate Middle Years
Programme community service project, and in support of Stan Olijslager ‘21 and Juan Lazcano ‘21 pose proudly with their
Gulliver’s core value of giving back, Stan and Juan worked parents after being presented with their award
diligently to clean up trash and debris that was cluttering beautiful Matheson Hammock Park. The duo
also took the opportunity to educate others on the dangers and effects of plastic pollution. “I hope our
project can change how people feel as they see the damaging results of throwing trash in the water,” said
Juan.
Not only did the soon-to-be Prep students convince their fellow teachers and classmates that plastic
bags should not be used, they also presented their findings before the Coral Gables City Commission.
Commissioners have since unanimously approved the ordinance to ban it, making the Gables the first
city in Florida to ban the use of single-use, carryout plastic bags. More specifically, this new ordinance
prohibits the use of plastic bags by retailers in Coral Gables and at city special events. Anyone found in
violation of the new rule can be fined $50 to $500.
“I felt very proud to be honored,” said Stan, “I hope our project will inspire other students to take on
similar projects.” Gulliver applauds Stan and Juan for standing up and speaking out
against practices that contribute to the destruction of our planet,
proving that everyone has the power to make a
difference.

n ews
around
gulliver
academy
21

c o n et w
e sn t s

Article
Headline
Girls in Engineering Win Building
This
Is Where
the Article Subtitle Goes
Design
Competition
by Author Name

by Stephanie Sanchez

Gulliver Middle School Wins
National Chess Championship
by Stephanie Sanchez

Congratulations to Mr. Orozco’s fifth period Girls
in Engineering class for winning both the State
and Southeast conference of the SCHOOLSNext
competition in Greenville, South Carolina.

Willy Orozco stands proudly with this Girls in Engineering class after being presented their award

The SCHOOLSNext competition is a global
challenge where students plan and design a 21st
century learning environment with emphasis on
innovation in teaching, conserving resources and
being environmentally responsive while engage the
surrounding community. Students Lilly Enekes ‘21,
Andrea Park ‘21, and Carmela Ribadeneira ‘21 did an
excellent job in designing, preparing and presenting
their STEM building. STEM focuses on science,
technology, engineering and mathematics. They
will be one of the few select groups representing the
United States in the SCHOOLSNext International
competition in October.

Both the Gulliver Prep and Middle School chess teams
recently competed in the National Chess Championships.
The tournament was held May 12-14, 2017 at the
Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee. The tournament
was the largest scholastic chess event in history, attracting
5,578 individual players and 1,586 of the top teams in the
United States. The competitors played seven games over a
three-day period, with each game lasting up to four hours.
The middle school team in the K-8 Under 1000 division
finished in sixth place. The middle school team in the
K-9 Unrated division finished in first place, becoming the
national champions. Pierce Garbett went undefeated and
is the new individual national co-champion in the K-9
Unrated division. This marks the sixth time that Gulliver
has won a team national chess championship.

On April 17, the Academy girls’ tennis team won
the 2017 South Florida Middle School Conference
Tennis Championship. The Raiders, defeating both
Carrollton and Ransom Everglades, were led by Lia
Fletcher ‘23, Mia Suarez ‘23, Victoria Hagenlocker
‘22, Kathleen Lewis ‘22, Emma Malmkjaer ‘23, and
Sophia Hernandez ‘21.

The Academy softball team celebrates their win against Florida Christian

The Academy softball team clinched the 2017 South
Florida Middle School Conference Championship
versus Florida Christian with a score of 20-8.
Natalie Menendez ‘21 went four for four with three
RBI’s and pitched a complete game with five strikeouts. Porter Bowen went two for five with two RBI’s.
Alexis Roades went one for three with two RBI’s in
the fifth inning, extending the lead for the Raiders.
Great defense was played by Paulina Posada and Sofia
Mueller.
Tournament MVP: Porter Bowen ‘21
All Conference: Natalie Menendez ‘21, Paulina
Posada ‘21, Sofia Mueller ‘21
Team members: Hadley Bowen ‘23, Porter Bowen
‘21, Emma-Grace Delvillar ‘22, Carmen Hall ‘22,
Natalie Menendez ‘21, Sofia Mueller ‘21, Paulina
Posada ‘21, Alexandra Ramirez ‘21, Alexis Roades ‘23,
Sophia Sims ‘21, Sophia Cunill ‘24.
Congratulations to the girls for a great
season on the diamond!

Get Ready for Alumni Reunion Weekend 2017!
July 21-23, 2017
by Rachele Huelsman

G

ulliver reunions have traditionally
consisted of three events: a Friday night
cocktail, an alumni pool party and a
Saturday evening all-alumni banquet.
Beginning this year, a number of activities have
been added to accommodate a growing number of
attendees of all ages. Here’s a look at what’s changing,
what’s staying the same, and what’s behind the shift.
What’s Changing?
The most significant change is the creation of
individual class anniversary mixers to honor
classes ending in “2” or “7,” which will be hosted
throughout Miami on Friday, July 21, 2017. These
events give classmates an intimate environment to
reconnect with fellow alumni from their class year.
Gulliver is also pleased to host several affinity group
reunions such as Project Lead the Way, Music and
Football. If you were involved in an activity on
campus and are interested in helping host a group
reunion, please contact Rachele Huelsman, Director
of Alumni Relations, at 786.709.4073 or huer@
gulliverschools.org.
The Venue!
This year, Reunion will be hosted at the Ritz-Carlton
Key Biscayne located at 455 Grand Bay Dr., Key
Biscayne, FL 33149. The Ritz offers a sequestered
serenity just minutes from downtown Miami.
With features including separate family and
adult pools, globally-inspired dining
destinations, luxurious full-service
spa and fitness center, worldclass Tennis Center, nearby golf
and Ritz Kids program, the
Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne,
Miami offers opportunities
for adventure, recreation
and relaxation at every
turn.
Distinguished Alumni
& Faculty Awards
As part of the Saturday
night program, the Gulliver

24

S U M M E R 20 1 7

Alumni Association will present the first annual
Distinguished Alumni & Faculty Awards. We invite
you to nominate and honor alumni and faculty in
the following categories:
Distinguished Raider Award: Recognizes
achievement of an exceptional nature in any field,
vocational or voluntary.
Rising Star Award: Recognizes a young alumni
(those who received their diplomas within the
last 10 years) who is already making significant
contributions to greater society through professional
or philanthropic work.
Hank Langston Alumni Service Award:
Presented to an alumni who advances the mission
of Gulliver through dedicated volunteer efforts in
support of its programs, thereby ensuring Gulliver’s
impact on our community and future generations of
students.
Marian C. Krutulis Award: Honors current or
previous faculty for extraordinary contributions to
teaching and to the student experience of life within
the Gulliver community.
For more information or to submit a nomination,
please visit gulliver.life/alumniawards
Class Wars!
This year, the Gulliver Alumni
Association has launched the Class
Wars Challenge. The challenge is
to make giving back to Gulliver
a part of who we are. Reunion
gifts, regardless of size, provide
an opportunity for your class to
show a little school spirit- or
maybe a lot! The class with
the highest participation
will be honored at Alumni
Reunion Weekend.
Finally, an all-alumni
farewell brunch has

been added to close out the weekend and reflect on
the memories made.
What’s Staying the Same?
Alumni can expect the usual social activities, like
cocktail receptions, an exciting lineup of parties and
time to reconnect with classmates. The weekend
will be filled with recreational and family-focused
activities, and programming will be tailored to
match the interests of each attendee.

Is there something else you would like to see?
Suggestions are greatly appreciated. Please contact
Rachele Huelsman, Director of Alumni Relations, at
786.709.4073 or huer@gulliverschools.org.
Looking forward to seeing you July 21-23, 2017
at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami!

The Saturday party will be hosted as a beach party
and the Saturday evening all-class reunion banquet
will remain a staple of the weekend.
What to Expect This Year
• Class-, school- and affinity-specific events
• Family-friendly activities, as well as childcare
provided for Saturday night
• Receptions and events with Head of Schools
Frank Steel and Gulliver faculty
As always, alumni from any graduating class are
welcome to attend. It’s our goal to honor alumni and
provide an opportunity for them to have a great time
while reconnecting with friends and Gulliver. The
more the merrier!
What’s Behind the Shift?
Many Gulliver alumni have expressed interest in
participating in a vibrant, comprehensive reunion
experience, and the desire to engage with other alumni
classes. With larger classes, the Gulliver Alumni
Association is expected to grow tremendously over
the next 15 years and Gulliver wants to continue to
engage and connect with as many alumni as possible.
Alumni Reunion Weekend provides a relaxed
environment to mix, mingle and reconnect.
Stay Up-to-Date
on the Weekend’s Events
For the most current information on the weekend,
visit gulliver.life/reunion or follow us on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/gulliver.raider. For classes
ending in “2” or “7,” please join your individual
class Facebook pages which are accessible through
the reunion website.
25

n Friday, October 21, 2016, the
Gulliver Alumni Association hosted
the annual Homecoming Alumni
Cook Out. Over 200 guests attended including
alumni, faculty and family. Complimentary
food and drinks were provided by Buffalo Wild
Wings and My Ceviche. Homecoming sponsor,
the Tina Dailey Foundation, shared their
message about substance abuse awareness to the
Raider community. The 2000 State Champion
Football Team were recognized on the field at
halftime. Hall of Fame inductees Rick Sarille ‘95
and Danielle Polley Bowen ‘94, P ‘21, ‘23 were
also in attendance.

n Saturday, October 22, 2016
the Gulliver Alumni Association
honored alumni who have
made a significant contribution to
the advancement and reputation of
Gulliver’s athletic program into the
Athletic Hall of Fame. The 2016
Athletic Hall of Fame inductees are
Rick Sarille ‘95, Danielle Polley
Bowen ‘94, P ‘21, ‘23, Eric
Brewton ‘84, Julio Guzman
‘93, Megan Rivera ‘01 and
the 2000 State Champion
Football Team. Sharing
stories that highlighted
the power of their
Gulliver experience, the
inductees exuded their
strong Raider pride.
29

l an t s
c o ng ta e

An Enchanted Engagement

Article Headline
Gulliver Gala 2017

This Is Where the Article Subtitle Goes
by Marie Dieppa '04

by Author Name

G

ulliver held its annual gala at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
on Saturday, March 25, 2017. The sold-out event hosted close to
600 guests, including current and former parents, alumni, board
members, community leaders and many of Gulliver’s biggest
supporters. Guests gathered to celebrate the bonds that tie our community
together and recognized Henry O. Langston, Gulliver’s Dean of Faculty
and Director of University, Corporation and Community Affairs, for his
lifetime of achievements and dedication to Gulliver.
The evening’s spirit of generosity made it truly an Enchanted
Engagement, and together we “Raised the G.” The increased support
from our community through sponsorships and underwriting,
as well as our first-ever live fundraiser, resulted in more than
$340,000 in support of our Annual Fund, a 37% increase in net
revenue over last year.

Our unprecedented success was due in large part to the
overwhelming amount of support from our parents, alumni
and students. Alumnus and current parent Saif Ishoof
‘93, P ‘24 led the evening program as the emcee. Mayor
of Key Biscayne, Mayra Peña Lindsay ‘83 presented
the Key to the City to Hank Langston. The alumni
network contributed significantly through in-kind
donations including the flower décor donated by
Richard Perdomo ‘04 and The Queen’s Flowers
and the dessert station underwritten by Sarah
Davidoff ‘88 with Fare to Remember.
A special thank you to the gala co-chairs,
Stephanie Burke P ‘23 ‘24 ‘28 and
Elizabeth Vargas P ‘22 ‘24 ‘26 for leading
this year’s exceptional gala committee.
Members of the committee leveraged
their networks to enhance our
auction by soliciting unique student
experiences and securing sponsors
for the event program.

he Gulliver Alumni Association,
with the help of Monica Pardo
‘97, P ‘29, welcomed Gulliver
Raiders to the fall alumni social on
Thursday, September 22, 2016 to kickoff the year. Hosted at Barley American
Brasserie, alumni enjoyed delicious food,
cocktails and an opportunity to catch up
with former classmates. With over 40
alumni in attendance, it was a great start
to the year.

he Alumni Association hosted
the Gulliver in the Grove
Alumni Social. Alumni from
across the decades came together to
share an evening of cocktails and
conversation. Alumni were joined by
Head of Schools, Frank Steel, as well
as current faculty. The event provided
an inviting atmosphere for networking,
reconnecting and networking.

Genny Zhu ‘99 and guests

Carlos Blanco, Laura Pina Pequignot ‘82

34

Carmen DeLara Acosta P ‘90, Felix Jacomino,
Christy Acosta ‘90

S U M M E R 20 1 7

Second generation raiderette Emille
Rosenberg ‘31, Ignacio Tejera ‘97

C

networking
events

L

ibby Witherspoon ‘87, P
‘25 and BNY Mellon, in
conjunction with the Gulliver
Alumni Association, hosted the
annual Lady Raiders Executive
Lunch. The event brought together
alumnae from across industries and
class years ranging from 1981-2015.
Our featured speaker Yanyn San Luis,
the Win Woman, coached alumni on
self-confidence and getting wins in the
workplace and life. It was wonderful
to see our alumnae reconnect, build
relationships and empower each other.

T

he Gulliver Alumni
Association traveled
to
Washington
D.C. to host an evening of
Caption text
cocktails and conversation
at The Gryphon. Head of
Schools, Frank Steel, and
local alumni discussed
Gulliver’s future goals and
he provided updates on
school improvements. Our
alumni community came
together and reconnected,
engaging with each other
and building relationships.

Justin Firestone introduces Wheels Up, which
offers private plane charters to its members

Faequa Khan ‘05, Cole Valerezo ‘05, Joe Traba ‘10

Marisa Alvarez ‘90, Lia Yaffar Pena ‘84

T

he
Gulliver
Alumni
Association hosted our annual
Raiders Edge Networking
Lunch at Bulla Gastrobar. In
attendance were alumni from across
industries and class years ranging
from 1981-2010. Together they
enjoyed lunch, a networking exercise
and exchanged contacts. Thank
you to Justin Firestone ‘96, P ‘29
and Wheels Up for sponsoring the
luncheon, as well as Saif Ishoof ‘93,
P ‘24, ‘26 for leading the networking
exercises.

n November 25, 2016 alumni
by
Author Name
participated
in the annual Alumni
Lacrosse game. With the best turnout
to date, alumni ranging from the class of 1993
to current players, enjoyed a day reconnecting
with teammates, meeting the current coaches
and performed on the same field they played
on as proud Gulliver Raiders. Families, friends
and fans were also in attendance, cheering
on the players throughout the game. Each
participant received a commemorative t-shirt,
sponsored by Kristian Gonzalez ‘04 and his
company, Squadra Soccer. Following the game,
the reunion continued at Hole in the Wall.

n December 17, 2016 the Gulliver Alumni
Association hosted the annual Alumni Soccer Games.
The morning started with alumni cheering on the
Girls Varsity team as they took on St. Brendan. After Varsity’s
big win and the alumni matches for men and women, lunch
was provided by Shiver’s BBQ. Participants included alumni
ranging from the class of 1981 to current players. Big thanks
to coach Chi Chi Nwadike ‘96 for helping to recruit the
largest turnout of female alumni players ever! Each participant
received a commemorative t-shirt as well as Gulliver gear,
sponsored by Kristian Gonzalez ‘04 and his company, Squadra
Soccer. Following the games, alumni competed in a crossbar
challenge. Our top three winners were Ben Riestra ‘91, Nick
Moztarzareh ‘10, and Frank Rosenberg ‘95, P ‘31 who received
prizes including Bluetooth headphones, Starbucks gift cards,
and a Nike gift card sponsored by Joe Suarez-Sarmiento ‘07 and
the Miami Beach Lincoln Road Nike Store.

he Gulliver Alumni
Association,
in
collaboration
with
Gulliver’s basketball program,
hosted the 2nd annual Gulliver
Alumni Basketball Tournament
on March 11, 2017. This year
featured a double elimination
tournament, with four teams of
alumni and friends. This year’s
champions, Wizard Liders,
led by Antonio Jones ‘04,
went undefeated and cruised
to victory. Justin Berstein
‘12 won the half-court shot
competition.

Justin Berstein ‘12

37

special

c o envte netns t s

Article
Headline
Make
a Splash

This Is24,
Where
September
2016the Article Subtitle Goes
by Author Name
n Saturday, September 24, 2016 Gulliver hosted the
Make a Splash Swim-a-Mile event at the aquatic center.
This annual tradition is an opportunity for the entire
Gulliver community to engage with one another and support
the annual fund and a community organization. As a studentdriven fundraiser we challenge participants to secure support
for swimming 72 laps. The 2016 event drew a large number of
student and parent volunteers who supported the expansion of
new activities throughout the day. This year’s parent committee
Judi Kraft P ‘09 ‘18 ‘20 ‘21 ‘23, Ana Luchau P ‘17 ‘19 ‘19 and
Betsy Requeira P ‘18 helped develop new activities such as the tiedye station lead by the visual arts students, a dunk tank featuring
favorite teachers, students and administrators and a bubble soccer
tournament, where players are wrapped in a giant, soft, inflatable
bubble ball. Event proceeds supported the Gulliver Annual Fund,
benefiting Gulliver Performing and Visual Arts and the Gulliver
Athletic Fund. Thank you to Miami Children’s Smiles, this year’s
presenting sponsor. A portion of the funds were also donated to
The Woody Foundation, established by James Woody Beckham
‘07, which raises funds for the recovery of people with spinal cord
injuries.

arents, past parents, alumni and sponsors gathered at
Deering Bay Yacht and Country Club on January 9 for
the Raider Challenge Golf and Tennis Tournament.
The event featured round-robin tennis matches, 18 holes of
golf, raffles, auction, and awards ceremonies. Three student
golfers, Sean Kelley ‘21, Max McKenna ‘18, and Roman Lopez
‘18, volunteered for the “Are you better than a Gulliver golfer?”
fundraiser. They challenged participants to tee off against
them to see who could get their ball closest to the hole. A new

38

S U M M E R 20 1 7

fundraising activity, The Golf Ball Launcher, proved to be an
amusing success raising additional support for the school.
Proceeds from this annual event benefit the Athletic Fund
which supports our athletic programs. A special thank you
to Jill Soman Reiter ‘89, Michelle Dalmau P ‘16 ‘17 ‘19 and
Coach Kelly Mulligan for organizing the tennis tournament
and Renae O’Neil P ‘18 ‘25 for supporting our annual golf and
tennis tournament.

ulliver’s annual Holiday Marketplace was presented
on November 15, 2016. With more than 75 vendors
on-site, this event provided parents, alumni and
academy students with a fun day of shopping in support of
Gulliver. Our vendors sold jewelry, apparel, accessories, sweet
treats and more. The middle school music students provided
holiday jingles while guests shopped and mingled. The top
10 vendors in each category were invited to a second Holiday
Marketplace at the Prep on December 9. The Inaugural “Prep
for the Holidays” was a special treat for the Prep students and
faculty who are not able to travel to the Academy campus to
shop. A special thank you to our committee Maggie Gomez
Moreira ‘94 P ‘23, Dania Melnick Alonso ‘94 P ‘23 ‘25 ‘20,
Rosemary Hartigan P ‘23 ‘25 ‘31, Magda Lopez P ‘18 and
Sylvia Gubbins P ‘14 ‘18 for their leadership.

of $10,000 or more in the future of our
school and the business profession by
supporting the transformational academic
programming, ideas and experiences that
make our students innovative leaders. We
would like to recognize and thank our
2016-17 partners:

ach year, Gulliver hosts the Good Morning Coral Gables
Chamber Breakfast. This year’s event took place on
April 20, 2017 at the Coral Gables Country Club, with
a theme focusing on “Educating Students to Become Global
Citizens and Leaders.” Guests included Gulliver students
across all grade levels, parents, faculty and staff, distinguished
alumni and community friends. Youssef Zakharia P ‘18 ‘20,
President and COO of Del Monte, gave an inspiring speech
encouraging all of us to broaden our worldview. Gulliver’s
Dean of Faculty, Director of University, Corporation and
Community Affairs, Hank Langston, was also honored for his
years of dedication to education and civic involvement.

40

S U M M E R 20 1 7

2017-18 Special Events
We invite you to take part in our annual traditions as we create memorable
experiences for our whole community. We look forward to your involvement!

Alumni Reunion Weekend

Holiday Marketplace

Friday, July 21-23, 2017

November 2017

Reunions at Gulliver have a long history of reconnecting
classmates with the School and rekindling lifelong
friendships. This year, Alumni Reunion Weekend will be
hosted at The Ritz Carlton Key Bisycane on July 21-23.
We hope you will join us! Wondering about all that’s in
store for Reunion 2017? Find out everything you need to
plan your weekend at gulliver.life/reunion. Looking to
rekindle that class rivalry? To learn how please visit
gulliver.life/2017classwars.

Become a vendor at the Holiday Marketplace and
showcase your unique items, or join us to find great
holiday gifts for everyone on your list. A percentage of all
sales goes back to Gulliver.

Alumni Homecoming
Friday, October 27, 2017
Homecoming is an annual campus-wide event, and
a time for all Raiders - students, alumni, faculty, staff,
families and friends - to come together to celebrate their
Gulliver pride! Relax before the game at a traditional
barbeque and enjoy special seating areas for Gulliver
alumni. We hope to see you there!

Raider Fest at Make a Splash
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Gulliver’s annual student-led swim-a-thon fundraiser,
Make a Splash, is expanding into a complete carnival–
style family fun day. Bring the kids for a day filled with
pool activities, arts and crafts, live performances, sports
contests, inflatable challenges and other exciting booths!

Raider Challenge Golf and
Tennis Tournament
Monday, February 5, 2018
Hit the links with alumni, parents and friends at Deering
Bay Yacht and Country Club for our annual golf and
tennis tournament featuring round-robin tennis matches,
18 holes of golf, raffles, auction, and awards ceremonies.
Have you participated in other local tournaments? Join
our committee as we kick our tournaments up a notch.

Gulliver Gala
Spring 2018
Gulliver’s annual gala is a philanthropic evening
celebrating the bonds that tie our community together.
Featuring live and silent auctions, dinner and dancing,
our gala is defined by a spirit of generosity as guests
commit to “Raise the G” by investing in Gulliver’s future.
Our gala committee is looking for alumni and parents to
share their talents as members of the committee. This
is an opportunity to help shape themes, decor and new
ideas for auction items. Each gala has a unique experience;
help us create a memorable 2018 gala.

Please contact The Advancement Department, to discuss your engagement for the
2017-18 school year at advancement@gulliverschools.org or 786.709.4005.

William Trattler '84
was included in the Power
List for Ophthalmology
by the publication The
Ophthalmologist. The award
was for inclusion in the
Top 100 most influential
people in the world of
ophthalmology.

Alix Hayes '92
her husband John, and their
children Dylan (7) and
Jordan (5 1/2) are living in
Oakhurst, NJ. Alix is the
Regional Public Relations/
Special Events Manager for
New Jersey for Boscov's
department stores.

44

Eddie Stephens '89
was selected as one of Wall
Street Journalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2017 Best
Lawyers in South Florida.

Rush Bowles '94
was chosen as one of the
2017 Wynwood Life Street
Festival Winners.

S U M M E R 20 1 7

Tanya Hayes '91
left Sotheby's New York,
where she was an Assistant
Vice President leading
single-owner
collections,
after 20 years and recently
began
overseeing
art
collections for a private
family office in New York
and Newport.

Ric Sarille '95
was inducted into the Northeast
Conference Hall of Fame this past
February. Ric was also inducted
into Gulliverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Athletic Hall of
Fame in October 2016.

notes

Bryan Abasolo '98
is a contestant on the
current season of ABC’s The
Bachelorette, vying to win
the heart of Rachel Lindsay.

Josh Yavelberg '98
recently completed his PhD
in Higher Education at
George Mason University
and is now the Manager of
Online Education for the
National Recreation and Park
Association. He also continues
to work as lead faculty for
the art history department
at University of Maryland
University College. Josh and
his wife Ashley are expecting
their first child in October.

Gina Arcic-Beekman '00

and her husband Gavin had
a baby boy, Ezra Benjamin
Beekman, in October.

Justin Hayes '99
is the Director of State
and Community Outreach
for
the
Maryland
CompTroller's
office,
living in Baltimore with
his wife Callie, an Assistant
State Attorney, and their
10-month-old son Wally.

Erik Bondhus '01
and his wife Christal
welcomed Harlow Sutton
Bondhus into the world this
past October.

Marissa Mornick '99
welcomed her daughter
Juliana to the family this
past December.

Felipe Rubio '02
and his wife Vanessa had
their first son this past
February.

Ana Cristina Cash '03
released her new project
“The Tough Love EP.”

45

class
notes

Alex Mijares '02
had his painting featured
on the cover of Yacht Miami
Magazine at this year’s
Miami Boat Show.

Jaime Sasso '06
won her second Sports Emmy
for her work at the Rio Olympics
on Tuesday May 9, 2017 in the
category of Outstanding TransMedia Sports Coverage (she won
her first Sports Emmy in 2013
for the London Olympics). She
started her interest and passion for
television product ion at Gulliver
in Raidervision with Mr. Sylver.
Now she is a rising star in her field
working for NBC Olympics, and
has produced Olympic coverage at
every summer and winter Olympic
games since Beijing 2008.

Nicole Martinez '08
married Aaron Spano last
November. In February
they moved from Charlotte,
NC to Tampa Bay and have
both started new jobs. This
November they will be
traveling to Madrid, Rome
and Paris for their belated
Honeymoon and First
Anniversary.

46

Woody Beckham '07
was honored on April
26, 2017 by the Ronald
McDonald House Charities
of South Florida as one
of the 2017 Twelve Good
Men.

Gabriel Madan '11
is a first-year graduate art
student in the University
of Miami's College of Arts
and Sciences and is already
establishing himself as a
professional.
Congrats
to Gabriel on his first
exhibition, Cool Your Jets, in
Wynwood.

S U M M E R 20 1 7

Brittney Barreto Sunset '07

and her husband Erik
welcomed their daughter
Emma Grace Sunset into
the world on October 10,
2016.

Caro De Paoli '13
and her Cornell team won
this year’s IHIF Student
Case Competition, held on
March 6, 2016 during the
20th Annual International
Hotel Investment Forum in
Berlin.

Stephanie Texeira '13
was highlighted as one
of FIU’s biggest softball
standouts and earned the
C-USA Player of the Week
honor on March 20 after
breaking the FIU career
record for runs scored.

Build a Legacy:
Brick by Brick
Order an engraved brick today!

gulliver.life/bricks

Leave a Legacy
and support Gulliver's
Annual Fund, which
enhances all aspects of
student life, including academic
programming,
activities
and
resources, facility improvements and
campus beautification.
You are invited to become a permanent part of
Gulliver by purchasing your own personalized, engraved
brick. Each brick will be placed at your preferred campus
location.
Bricks can be purchased for $125. All contributions are tax deductible.

HONOR | REMEMBER | CELEBRATE

Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage

PAID

Miami, FL
Permit No. 00667

9350 South Dixie Highway, 11th Floor
Miami, FL 33156

We are proud to celebrate a growing culture of
philanthropy in the Gulliver community.

Our Annual Fund has grown because more and more Gulliver parents, alumni,
students, faculty, staff, trustees and friends participate each year. These contributions
directly support, strengthen and sustain the exceptional programs and resources that
define a Gulliver education.

Over $1.7 million raised in total gifts and commitments - 50% increase from last year
Over $1 million raised in support of the 2016-17 Annual Fund
Increased net revenue from our Gulliver Gala by 37% raising over $340,000
Increased parent giving participation by more than 35% over last year
Increased faculty and staff participation in the Annual Fund by more than 15%

We thank all of our stakeholders for your participation
and generosity to help us surpass our goals!